‘I’ve grown’: 21-year-old Everton player says he’s such a better player now

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Jarrad Branthwaite has thanked PSV for helping him become a much better footballer.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the Everton defender opened up on the ‘best thing’ he could have done after spending last season on loan in the Netherlands.

Branthwaite joined Everton from Carlisle United in 2020 but failed to force his way into the first-team set up. He spent the second half of the campaign with Blackburn Rovers, but it wasn’t until he joined PSV that he really gained some attention.

The 21-year-old made 36 appearances in all competitions for PSV, including scoring two goals in four matches as the Dutch club lifted the KNVB Cup.

Branthwaite’s impressive stint in the Eredivisie attracted interest, with PSV eager to sign him permanently and Manchester United also considering a move for him during the summer.

However, the Toffees managed to keep hold of the centre-back and he has so far looked solid at the back after he replaced Michael Keane in the starting line-up last month.

Branthwaite’s stats this season are very impressive, topping the club’s charts for possession won in the defensive third (14) and times dribbled past (0), while he has made the second-most interceptions (6) and won the third-most aerial duels (10).

However, the defender is well aware that it was his spell with PSV that allowed him to develop and he has claimed joining Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side was the best decision he could have made.

Joining PSV helped Jarrad Branthwaite ‘grow as a person’

“It was the best thing I could’ve done,” he told Sky Sports. “It was the best move I’ve made, when you’re young you’ve just got to play games, at any level.

“Going over there was a big platform, a big stage, playing in Europe and things – and getting that solid game time continuously really helped me.

“After I spoke to my family and my agent, I said yes straight away because of the opportunity, what I could achieve over there and playing the games I did. I’ve grown as a person, more confident on and off the field.

“Moving to a different country, living on your own, you’ve got to learn new things and adapt to things, a new culture, a new language. It was a difficult start when I went over there, but it stood me in good stead to come back as a better person and player than I was when I left.”